Comedian Simon Brodkin Cautioned Over Pitch Invasion

British comedian Simon Brodkin has been formally cautioned after charging a soccer pitch before a Premier League match in Liverpool, England last month (Mar13).

The funnyman, best known in the U.K. for his streetwise alter ego Lee Nelson, was arrested after sneaking onto the grass at Goodison Park as players from home team Everton United warmed up in preparation for their battle with rivals Manchester City.

Brodkin, who was wearing a Manchester City kit, was charged with pitch encroachment, a law introduced under Britain's Football Offences Act, but he escaped prosecution on Wednesday (03Apr13) when he appeared before a judge at Liverpool Community Justice Centre.

His lawyer, Raymond Shaw, insisted the stunt was meant as a "humorous act" and claimed his client was unaware it was a criminal offence, and Brodkin escaped with a simple caution.